Method for preparing polyaniline complex with antimicrobial activity and heavy metal removal efficiency using conductive poly aniline polymer doped with organic acid and metal ion in defined order

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for preparing an insoluble polyaniline complex with antimicrobial activity and heavy metal removal efficiency that involves doping a porous nonconductive polyaniline emeraldine base with an organic acid to impart conductivity and then with a metal ion to render the metal ion attached to the surface of the conductive polymer, and a polyaniline complex prepared from the preparation method, which polyaniline complex is excellent in the ability to adsorb and/or eliminate bacteria and other microbes and to remove heavy metals and hence available in any of various applications for antimicrobial activity and heavy metal removal, including filters for water purifier, automobile or household air conditioner, gas masks, water and sewage treatment system, air purifier, cleanroom, etc.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for preparing a polyaniline complex for antimicrobial activity and heavy metal removal efficiency, the method comprising:
 (a) synthesizing a polyaniline emeraldine base in the form of a nano-fiber using a conventional interfacial polymerization; 
 (b) doping the polyaniline emeraldine base of the step (a) with an organic acid having a carboxyl group to prepare a polyaniline emeraldine salt complex, wherein the organic acid having a carboxyl group is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); and 
 (c) doping the polyaniline emeraldine salt complex of the step (b) with a metal ion or a metal salt to prepare an insoluble polyaniline/metal complex. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the organic acid of the step (b) is contained in an amount of 20 to 50 wt. % with respect to the total weight of the conductive polyaniline polymer. 
     
     
       3. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the metal ion or the metal salt of the step (c) includes silver (Ag). 
     
     
       4. A method for preparing a polyaniline complex for antimicrobial activity and heavy metal removal efficiency, the method comprising:
 (a) synthesizing a polyaniline emeraldine base in the form of a nano-fiber using a conventional interfacial polymerization; 
 (b) doping the polyaniline emeraldine base of the step (a) with an organic acid to prepare a polyaniline emeraldine salt complex; and 
 (c) doping the polyaniline emeraldine salt complex of the step (b) with a metal ion or a metal salt to prepare an insoluble polyaniline/metal complex, 
 wherein the metal ion or the metal salt of the step (c) includes silver (Ag) and is contained in an amount of 5 to 30 wt. % with respect to the conductive polyaniline polymer.